This study examined 39 adolescents during their transition to university. In standardized weekly diaries over several weeks (M=8.13) adolescents reported on engagement in career exploration (in-breadth and in-depth self and environmental exploration), their parents' transition-related involvement (frequency of conversations, support, and…

In this study we investigate the antecedents of career exploration. We apply the perspectives of Flum and Blustein [Flum, H., & Blustein, D. L. (2000). Reinvigorating the study of vocational exploration: A framework for research. "Journal of Vocational Behavior, 56", 380-404] for the first time in Hong Kong, and we also test…

We surveyed 245 first-year university students using measures of career concerns, career adaptability (career planning, career exploration, self-exploration, decision-making, self-regulation), goal-orientation (learning, performance-prove, performance-avoid) and social support (family, friends, significant others), and tested: (a) whether the…

Examined undergraduate students' willingness to explore, enter, and predict success in three occupations as a function of subject sex and information about occupational sex ratio, salary, and position availability. Results indicated males were more likely to report an interest in further exploration of and entry into the occupations, as well as to…

Administered an individual differences measure of motivational and orientations and a multidimensional measure of exploratory activity and beliefs to undergraduate students (N=154). Canonical analysis yielded one significant canonical root which indicated autonony and control orientations were positively related to self-exploration and beliefs in…

Examined vocational hypothesis testing by applying Snyder's hypothesis-testing research paradigm to a vocational task in two experiments. Subjects (N=106) were asked to evaluate the appropriateness of a specific occupation for themselves. Subjects tended to exhibit confirmatory hypothesis-testing strategies when relevant occupations were…

Subjects, who were pretested for levels of cognitive complexity and occupational positivity, participated in one of four self-administered vocational interventions. Results indicated subjects decreased in levels of complexity but increased in levels of occupational positivity over time. Effects were qualified by the differential impact of various…

Examined three aspects of career exploration (environment exploration, self-exploration, and amount of information acquired) as predictors of interview performance in graduate business students (N=78). Results showed that career exploration activities consistently predicted self-perceptions of readiness and recruiters' ratings but not self-ratings…

Examined vocational decision-making style, contextual anxiety, and exploratory activity in 148 undergraduate students. Results suggest that individuals who rely upon thinking-oriented approaches to decisions and who experience stress with regard to the specific tasks of exploration are likely to engage in exploration of environment and, to lesser…

Examined the effects of two different career interventions (Strong-Campbell Interest Inventory or a Vocational Card Sort) on career undecided reentry women. Significant effects were found for both treatments, with the women experiencing less career indecision following the interventions. Both interventions were equally effective, and the women…

Correlational analysis of data from 134 undergraduates assessed the variance between career choice variables and decisional progress variables (vocational self-concept, commitment, readiness). Most significantly related to progress variables were exploration variables: amount of information and intended-systematic exploration. Congruence between…

Examined the concept of vocational development in relation to structural changes which occur in the cognitive schemata individuals use to process vocational information. Results from 101 college undergraduates indicated that vocational decision-making skills, career exploration, and career planning varied as a function of cognitive structure.…

In a sample of college students, self-related exploration was positively related to satisfaction with the occupational decision of low anxiety students and negatively related to satisfaction among high anxiety students. Dissatisfaction with an occupational decision stimulated future work-related exploration for low anxiety students. (Author)

Investigated career exploration in two studies using longitudinal design. Work-role salience was significantly related to beliefs in the instrumentality of exploration and the importance of obtaining one's preferred position. Exploration instrumentalities and the importance of obtaining one's preferred position were significantly related to…

Compared student satisfaction ratings for CHOICES, an interactive computer-based career guidance program, and the Self-Directed Search, a pencil-and-paper career planning guide. Results indicated a user preference for CHOICES, although both programs received positive ratings. The findings were discussed in terms of cost effectiveness. (Author/JAC)